The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

The LSP Development Officer confirmed that the BELA grant was branded with the LSP logo and press releases would be circulated detailing the success of the grant.

Members were informed that the Breckland Race Equality Scheme was being driven forward.

The LSP Development Officer informed the Board that the Cultural Strategy was being driven forward by key stakeholders and a Cultural Strategy Delivery Group was being established.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs T. Cherington, D. Ovenden, N. Stott, B. Horner and Mesdames D. Bartlett, C. Williams and L. Walker.

To receive an update on the Boundary Committee Review of Local Government in Norfolk.

The Deputy Chief Executive gave a presentation on the current situation with regards to the Local Government Review.

Following a failed bid by Norwich City Council for unitary status the Boundary Commission were tasked with investigating the affordability of an authority based on a greater Norwich boundary and a unitary solution for the whole of Norfolk. 

The Boundary Committee could conduct a boundary review either on the advice and direction issued by the Secretary of State or on its own initiative. It is unclear, at this stage, which of the above scenarios applies to this context.

The Boundary Committee in considering any options has to have regard to:-

·              Any guidance given by the Secretary of State

·              The need to secure effective and convenient local government

·              The need to reflect the identities and interests of local communities

The Boundary Committee visited Norfolk on 17 October 2007 and invited all eight local authorities to put forward submissions of concepts for a unitary Norfolk by 30 November 2007. 

The Secretary of State would likely issue terms of reference for the review in December 2007 and any detailed business cases would need to be submitted by the end of March 2008.  The Boundary Committee would then put forward its draft recommendation in July 2008 with a consultation on that recommendation in August 2008.  The final recommendation would be made to the Secretary of State in October 2008 who would then provide a decision in early 2009.

There were a number of different concepts, being:

1. A county unitary
2. Greater Norwich with a unitary county
3. A three unitary model – city, coast, country
4. A four unitary model – West, South, Coastal Norfolk and the City

All concepts promoted better services, value for money, greater democracy and a council responsive to its residents’ needs.

Breckland was developing option 3 which would create 3 authorities being coastal, rural and greater Norwich.  It was felt that this would provide a community identity on policy issues with better democratic engagement was and would be financially viable.

Until the outcome of the boundary review was known Breckland would continue to work on its strategies and priorities.  However, the Local Government Review could provide a number of potential innovations such as community councils and forums to improve public and partnership involvement in the council’s decision making process.  These innovations could be implemented prior to any unitary announcement.

Members felt that the role Town and Parish Councils should be enhanced in order to gain greater democratic involvement.  However, it was understood that many Town and Parish Councils needed to be fit for purpose for this role.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive stated that concerns had been raised with regard to the additional responsibility which may be given to the Town and Parish Councils and the varying levels of competence of those councils. 

The Norfolk Association of Parish and Town Councils’ representative added that many more councils were attaining quality status.

With regards to concerns around funding it was critical that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

To receive a report by Tim Leader, Deputy Chief Executive, Breckland Council.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented a report which requested the Board’s approval to fund the LSP Development Officer post and associated costs for two years from January 2008 until December 2009.

RESOLVED that the funding for the LSP Development Officer post be approved for a two year period from January 2008 until December 2009.

To note progress on the Sustainable Community Strategy and agree a vision and high level priorities for inclusion in the Strategy.

Kevin Ambrose of Ambrose Associates Consultancy Ltd had been given the task of collating and producing the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for Breckland.

Mr Ambrose informed Members that the Sustainable Community Strategy was the overarching plan for promoting and improving the well-being of the area.  Further to this the Strategy would be the key instrument through which the LSP articulated its ambitions and priorities for the area.

There were a number of strategies which would need to be considered when preparing the SCS.  These were:-

·              Economic Prosperity Strategy

·              Social Inclusion Strategy

·              Culture Strategy

·              Local Development Framework

·              Breckland Council’s Housing Strategy

·              Breckland Council’s Business Plan

The Principal Planning Policy Officer gave a brief presentation on the Local Development Framework (LDF).  The SCS would need to feed-in to the vision of the LDF which was that by 2026 Breckland’s settlements and its wider rural area would have developed as a dynamic, prosperous and self-sustaining community through the delivery of sustainable housing and employment growth, support by necessary facilities, services and infrastructure.

The Board went on to consider the vision and the priorities for Breckland’s SCS through facilitated and group discussions.

It was apparent that following the feedback from those discussions there were a number of priorities being:-

1.      Affordable Housing Provision

2       Access to Services, particularly in rural areas

3.      Community Cohesion

4.      Vibrant Economy

The consultant, Kevin Ambrose, would explore these issues and bring back a draft Strategy in the New Year.

Members agreed with the suggestion of inviting the Chair of an LSP Beacon Council to a future meeting of the LSP to impart their approach to developing a successful Local Strategic Partnership Board.

Kevin Ambrose stated that if any of the LSP members knew of any local meetings which may feed-in information to the SCS he would be happy to attend those meetings.  It was suggested that the Safer Neighbourhood Community Action Groups maybe an appropriate forum.

RESOLVED that

(1)    the Sustainable Community Strategy be drafted in accordance with the priorities and vision of the LSP Board; and

(2)    the Chairman of an LSP Beacon Council be invited to a future meeting of the LSP Board to impart their approach to developing a successful Local Strategic Partnership.

To agree items for inclusion on the next or future agenda.

It was noted that the Sustainable Community Strategy would be the main agenda item in the New Year.

To note the scheduled meeting dates for 2008 as detailed below.

Thursday, 31 January 2008 at 2.00 pm

Thursday, 12 March 2008 at 2:00 pm

Thursday, 29 May 2008 at 10:00 am

Thursday, 24 July 2008 at 2:00 pm

Thursday, 9 October 2008 at 2:00 pm

Thursday, 11 December 2008 at 2.00 pm

The following dates were agreed for 2008:-

Thursday, 31 January 2008 at 2.00 pm

Thursday, 13 March 2008 at 2.00 pm

Thursday, 29 May 2008 at 10.00 am

Thursday, 24 July 2008 at 2.00 pm

Thursday, 9 October 2008 at 2.00 pm

Thursday, 11 December 2008 at 2.00 pm